Golden Circle of Champions Events (Dec. 9-11)

Event info: Private Events
To donate or additional info contact Tina Tonascia at 805-925-4125 or tina@elksrec.com

This event will bring together children suffering from cancer and their families (one child representing each of 10 rodeo committees in the Western US) at the Wrangler NFR. There will be special banquet at the South Point on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 9. That evening the kids will attend the Wrangler NFR at the Thomas & Mack Center. On Monday, the kids will head to Cowboy Christmas for a special appearance inside the Wrangler Rodeo Arena.

Each year, the parents of approximately 15,300 kids will hear the words “your child has cancer.” The founders of Golden Circle of Champions believe there’s no bigger champion in the world than children and their families fighting life-threatening cancer.

Golden Circle of Champions began in 2016 in conjunction with the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo to raise awareness and funds to help local children and their families battling life-threatening cancer. Fifteen families were chosen to be honored that year at the local rodeo during opening night. Little did they know, rodeo attendees donated money to the families through various fundraising efforts and by giving money during each performance when painted cowboy boots were passed in the stands. The money was given directly to the families to fulfill their urgent needs; pay bills, buy medicine and care for their family.

Not only has the Golden Circle of Champions grown in Santa Maria, but this year we are teaming up with the Red Bluff Round- Up along with Las Vegas Events, the PRCA and Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation and are excited to announce it will be unveiled at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas where 10 local Las Vegas families along with 10 families chosen from PRCA sponsored Rodeos across the nation will send a local family to be honored. With our partners, we are excited to launch this special program for these families to have the opportunity to experience the Wrangler NFR!

Golden Circle of Champion children and their families will be treated to a “Champions” style banquet where they will have the opportunity to dine with Rodeo Champions, receive special gifts and learn about rodeo.  Following the banquet, they will be whisked away to a magical night at the Wrangler NFR.  The next day they will be treated to a trip to Cowboy Christmas where they will get to watch the Jr. Wrangler NFR Rodeo Finals and participate with media interviews and photo opportunities.

The Golden Circle of Champions foundation is excited to share this highly successful and greatly needed cause with PRCA Rodeo Committees nationwide. Not only will it provide an unforgettable experience for these well-deserving families, but make Rodeo Committees across the nation aware of a simple, turn-key program available that makes a difference in the lives of their local families.

Families chosen will consist of a child between the ages of 6 – 14 years of age who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening cancer/illness.  They may be currently in treatment or have just completed treatment and have gone on maintenance.  They have selected three guests to accompany them, but at least one guest will be a legal parent.

The Rodeo Committees participating will be providing transportation to and from Las Vegas from their community for the child and up to three guests they are sponsoring.  These families will arrive on Saturday, December 8th and will depart on Tuesday, December 11th. The out of town families will be provided with a $1,000 donation from their sponsoring Rodeo Committee to assist with their traveling expenses (meals, incidentals, souvenirs etc.).

Each family will be providing photos and videos of their preparation for their trip, including but not limited to arrival in Las Vegas, their stay and adventures while in Las Vegas and up through their departure home.

The out of town families will be provided three (3) nights’ accommodations at the newly remodeled Palace Station in Las Vegas compliments of Las Vegas Events.  Check in will be on Saturday, December 8th with departure Tuesday, December 11th.

The families will be provided transportation to the South Point Hotel for the Champions Banquet on Sunday, December 9th and to the Wrangler NFR that evening.

The families will be provided transportation from their hotel to the Cowboy Christmas on Monday, December 10th to experience the Junior NFR Finals for photo shoot opportunities, interviews and to soak in all the excitement Cowboy Christmas has to offer.

Las Vegas Events is hosting these children and their families to attend the NFR for the Sunday, December 9th performance which will include experiencing the Fan Zone to having concierge service while taking in the excitement of the Wrangler NFR.